Dover

Dover's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census also show there were changes in average age, housing tenure and health.

The population passed 110,000

In the decade to 2011, the population of Dover increased by 6.8%, from just under 105,000 to 112,000.

The addition of just over 7,100 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Dover was home to, on average, 2.5 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was similar to the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Dover

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Dover increased by four years, from 40 to 44 years.

This seaside area had a higher average age than the South East and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of almost 4,100 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 2,000.

About 13% of people in Dover are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Dover by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More people cohabiting

The percentage of households in Dover, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 8.1% to 10% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just over 3 in 10 (32%) households had only a single person, compared with 30% in 2001. The percentage of households in Dover, which comprised a married couple (with or without children), decreased from 37% to 33%.

The proportion of households with an unmarried couple increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 8.7% in 2001 to 9.9% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 8.3% to 9.9%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple in Dover increased by 2 percentage points

Percentage of households in Dover, the South East and England that had an unmarried couple, March 2001 and March 2011

Changes in family structure

This area saw the South East's third-largest fall in the proportion of households with children.

Across the region, only Hastings (from 29% to 26%) and Fareham (from 30% to 28%) saw a greater decrease in the proportion of households with children.

In 2011, just over one in four (26%) households in Dover had at least one dependent child, compared with 29% in 2001. The percentage with no children increased from 63% to 64%.

The proportion of households with children was lower than across the South East

Percentage of households that with at least one dependent child across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Housing in Dover

The percentage of households that owner their home fell in Dover, but at a slower rate than in nearby Thanet.

In Dover, the proportion of home ownership decreased from 71% in 2001 to 67% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in Thanet decreased from 70% to 62%.

Across the South East, the share of households that owner their home decreased from 73% to 67%.

Private renting in Dover increased from 10% to 17%, while the rate of social housing decreased from 15% to 14%.

The rate of home ownership was lower than across the South East

Percentage of households that that owner their home across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Dover residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 9.5% to 6.3% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 8 in 10 (79%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 66% in 2001. The percentage of Dover residents that described their health as fair decreased from 24% to 15%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 7.2% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Dover decreased by 3.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Dover, the South East and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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